Developer of permanent magnet (PM) generators and full power converter systems, Danotek, is part of a consortium selected by the DOE. The company is to advance the next-generation designs of land-based and offshore wind-turbine drivetrains and designs that will further reduce the cost of wind energy. This move ensures U.S. companies are at the forefront of technical innovation within the global wind-energy industry.
The Next Generation Drivetrain (NGD) consortium is led by DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and includes wind turbine, gear systems, power electronics, PM generator manufacturers, and drivetrain specialists.
In 2011, the DOE made awards to six groups for a Phase I study into innovative drivetrain technologies that could be scaled to larger turbines and make significant reductions in the cost of wind energy. This phase identified possible innovations to the gearbox, PM generator and power electronics for enhanced wind turbine drivetrains’ capacity and reliability. From these Phase I studies, two consortia were selected for Phase II awards intended to demonstrate the technologies’ commercialization potential.
In Phase II, the identified innovations will be incorporated into a scalable 1.5-MW prototype that will be tested at NREL. Upon successful completion of testing, technology readiness levels will be advanced so that when combined with a commercialization plan, will lead to global deployments of the drivetrain technologies.
“The results of the Phase II work will undoubtedly influence the design of tomorrow’s wind turbine drivetrains, including the choice of generator technology,” says Dr. Daniel Saban, CTO, Danotek. “Compared to direct-drive systems, medium-speed drivetrains with PM generators can deliver better performance at a reduced cost, and avoid challenges posed by handling and transporting large diameter machines.”
Danotek Motion Technologies
www.danotekmotion.com
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